San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-31

CHAPTER ii.
1t was the delightful June weather
that tempted me to take cottage on
the river. | am, moreover, fond OF
canoeing, and the owner of a canoe OF
greater width and stability than such
crafts usually possess. 1t may be that
| do look an odd figure as | sit in my
small bark, clad in white flannel and
crowned with a large straw hat, but
the benefit my health and temper de-
rive from this eXhilerating amusement
more than compensate for the plebeian
raillery | meet with. 1t was to avoid
boats manned by incompetent and
hoarse-voiced crews of vulgar cOckneys
that one beautiful afternoon | padded
my canoe up small tributary, whose
windings and shallow protected it
against the inrOads of larger craft. In
the meadows ON either side | could
hear the sweep of the scythe and smell
the new-mown hay. 1t was such day
as one should store in the cells of ones
memory for the Winter as bee stores
honey. l padded myself about for
long time in peaceful enjoyment,
watching the swallows or kingfishers
as they flashed through the sunbeams
that slanted through the Pickering
leaves. After while turning my
canoe, let myself drift down with the
stream, guiding myself at intervals
with vigorous stroke of my paddle.
Black care had no place beside me that
day, and / was deep in midsummer's
day dream when all at once a violent
shock, followed by little scream, re-
called me to myself and checked my
absent career. was jerked uncom-
fortably forward and my hat shaken
over my eyes. To my dismay found
that had run right into young lady
as rounded the curve where the cur
rent ran swiftly, who, with her canoe
mOtionless in thick growth of weeds,
was reading, half concealed by the
boughs of a Weeping willow. Her book
fell into the water; her canoe, driven
closer to the bank by the collision,
grounded, and my own shared the same
fate among the thick weeds.
"Oh, my poor book" exclaimed she,
before l had sufficiently recovered
from my confusion to apologize.
Il beg you thousand pardOns," l
stammered, pouring a little stream of
water over her dress from my paddle
in my agitation, "but | didn't see you"
"Oh. it can't be helped" said she
good-naturedly. Perhaps you'll be
kind enough to pick out my book"
She turned toward me and | saw her
face was an exceedingly pretty one,
with expressive gray eyes, soft brown
hair. delicate features, and cheeks
flushed with the confusion my awk-
wardness had caused. She seemed
much more inclined to laugh than to
be angry, and | have no doubt my
face showed curious mixture OF
shame and establishment.
took the book from the water, and
after vain attempt to dry its sodden
pages, handed it to the owner.
shelley" exclaimed l, reading the
title.
"Yes," said she. 1T has met with
the same fate as its poor author"
She glanced at it with comical little
expression of sorrow.
@You are much kinder than / de-
serve" said l, still feeling red and
foolish; "the only way can make
amends is by helping you of"
Hadn't you better get off yourself
firstp she answered laughing.
So l commenced violent struggle
with my paddle, vainly splashing the
water like a wild goose with broken
wing, but unable to bulge an inch.
My companion in misfortune, fully
appreciated the absurdity of the spec
tacle, burst into a fit of laughter,
which she strove in vain to check.
Il am glad" said l, as l paused for
want of breath, shat afford you some
amusement"
1T is so funny that 1 can't help it,"
said she.
"Pray don't try on my account" said
magnanimously; Il am quite aware l
owe you some compensation"
At this point there was a rustling in
the bushes; a big black dog appeared,
and, descending to the waters edge,
began to bark jOyously.